Revolving scraper



Och c. LE BLEU 1,826,252

REVOLVING SCRAPER Filed May 29. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l arZe Le B2614 W WM Oct 6, 1931.

c. LE BLEU REVOLVING SCRAPER File d May 29. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ira I Oct. 6, 1931. c. LE BLEU REVOLVING SCRAPER Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 122/ nfor mm G -mV g a sw Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES LE BLEU, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REVOLVING SGRAPER Application filed May 29,

scraper in carrying out the functions for which it is designed, can be accomplished in a more facile manner than is the case with any other scraper of which I am at present aware, and yet, which is of relatively simple and rugged construction.

A more detailed object is the provision of a revolving scraper of the general class described, wherein a scoop is mounted in a suitable frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, the rotation of the scoop being caused by engagement of the scoop with the surface over which the scraper is being drawn, and wherein a detent carried by the frame, is adapted to engage the scoop to hold it against rotation beyond that position in which the scoop is adapted to be filled, and wherein means are provided for so alterin the position of the detent, that the nose of the scoop is elevated from scraping position.

Another object is the provision of a revolving scraper adapted to be releasably held in loading position by a movable detent as described, in which the detent is so arranged that in moving from either its extreme of its movement to the other, it traverses an arcuate path, the radius of which is substantially equal to the radius about which turns that portion of the scoop'engaged by the detent, the object being to obviate the danger of the detents being withdrawn from engagement with the scoop as would be its tendency if its motion were tangential in respect to the circle described by the portion of the scoop engaged by the detent. I

A still further object is the provision of a revolving scraper as described, in which the motion of the detent is of suflicient extent to permit operation of the scraper either with or without supporting wheels.

A further object is the provision of a ro- 1929. Serial No. 366,960.

tary scraper adapted to be releasably retained in loadlng or idling position bya movable detent as described, and in which the detent, while being capable of avoiding the liabilit of being tripped by the scoop ltself, regar less of how heavily loaded, is adapted to be w thdrawn from engagement with the scoop with relatively little effort on the part of the operator. This object is gained through the employment of the link and lever mechanism whlch 1s peculiar to the scraper of my invention, and which supports and operates the detent.

Inasmuch as elevation of the nose of the to compensate for the forward motion of the nose of the scraper while it is being elevated, the purpose being to overcome the 'tendency'ofthe scoop to bury its nose'in the v earth, which otherwise would require an excessively great force to draw the nose from scraping position. A further object is the provision of independently operated means for withdrawing the detent completely from engagement with the scoop so as to permit the scoop to revolve, and thus empty itself of the earth which has previously been accumulated therein.

A still further object is the provision of a detent engageable with the scoop as described above, to hold the scoop either in idle or scraping position, and which is also engageable with the scoop after the scoop has revolved substantially a quarter turn from scraping position," the purpose being to spread the earth as it is slowly emptied from the scoop, instead of depositing it in a mound. 9

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the sectional view, the planes of section being taken upon the ines 33 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the scraper with its scoop revolvedto spreading position;

Fig. 5 is a v1ew similar to Fig. 4, showing the scraper with the constituent parts thereof in the positions assumed thereby immedlately after the tripping mechanism has been activated to release the scoop from spreading position.

In terms of broad inclusion, the revolving scraper of the present invention, comprises a frame and a scoop pivoted thereon. The frame is provided with a detent which is engageable with the scoop, and which is movable to reversely rotate the scoop from scraplng position to idling position. Means are provided for increasing the effective length of the frame during this reverse rotation of the scoop to compensate for the forward move-- ment of the scoops nose while it is being elevated to idling position. Tripping means are also provided for withdrawing the detent from engagemeht with the scoop to perm1t a predetermined extent of rotation of the scoop upon the completion of wh1ch the detent again engages the scoop to retain it in spreading position unless the tripping mechanism is again actuated, whereupon the scoop continues rotation to completely empty its contents within a relatively restricted area.

Specifically describing the most practical embodiment of my invention of which I am at present aware, the frame 6 0f the scraper, comprises a longitudinally extending tongue 7 having a transverse member 8"r1g1dly secured thereto adjacent the after-end thereof, and angular bracing members 9 extending from each end of the transverse member 8 and secured adjacent the forward end of. the tongue 7. The after ends 11 of the bracing members 9, are deflected into parallelism with each other to provide substantially horizontally disposed arms spaced to receive the scoop 12 therebetween. Each arm 11 terminates in an inwardly offset portion 13 which is rigidly attached to a vertically disposed extension 14 having at its lower end, an axle shaft 16 extending. horizontally therefrom and upon which a suitable wheel 17 is revolubly retained. A stub shaft 18 extends rigidly from each end of the S000 l2, and is revolubly disposed within a suita le journal adjacent the upper end of the associated extension 14, to support the scoop 12 for rotation about a horizontal axis, this axis being at such an elevation above the axles 16, and the wheels 17 being of such diameter that when the bottom 19 of the scoop 12 is disposed horizontally, it is supported slightly above the surface upon which the wheels 17 are resting.

The bottom 19 of the scoop 12, extends upwards at its after edge, to define the rear wall 21 of the scoop which is also provided with ends 22 and 23, to each of WhlCll an arcuate' rail 24 and 26 respectively, is secured. This arcuate rail extends throughout substantially 90 and is so proportioned and arranged that as the scoop revolves, the rails elevate the scoop when inverted, far enough to permit the contents thereof to be rapidly emptied therefrom. The forward edge of the bottom 19, is preferably sharpened as at 27, to provide a nose or scraping edge to facilitate the manipulation of the scraper.

A pair of stops 28 and 29 are rigidly secured to each of the arcuate rails 24 and 26, and extend laterally from the associated end of the scoop 12. When the scraper is in idling position, the stops 28 are substantially directly forward of the stub shafts 18, and the stops 29 are substantially directly over the stub shafts 18, as best shown upon Fig. 1.

. A rock shaft 31 is journalled in and extends transversely of the frame 6, preferably slightly aft the transverse member 8. This shaft 31 is adapted to be rotated through a predetermined arc, by means of a loading lever 32 which is pivoted as at 33 to the tongue 7, and which is operatively connected to the shaft 31 through links 34 and 36 and a crank arm 37 to which the link 36 is pivoted, and which is rigid with the rock shaft 31 and extends upwards therefrom so that when the loading lever 32 is moved forwards, the rock shaft 31 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed upon F i 's. 1, 3, 4, and 5. The links 34'and 36 are pivotally joined by a suitable pin 38 which also carries the upper end of a lever 39 which is pivoted as at 41, to the tongue 7, for a purpose to be disclosed hereinafter. Furthermore, the tongue 7 is provided with a rack 42; and a pawl 43 pivotally carried by the loading lever 32, is engageable with the rack 42 to releasably retain the loading lever 32 in selected position.

The ends of the shaft 31 are journalled in and extend through suitable brackets 46, one of which is rigid with each of the arms ll. A crank and link mechanism indicated in its entirety at 47, for the proper manipulation of a detent 48, is provided upon each side of the frame 6'; but inasmuch as these mechanisms are identical in construction, it will suffice for the purpose of the present disclosure, to describe but one of them. A crank 51 is rigidly secured to the associated end of the rock shaft 31, outside the associated bracket 46, and extends rearwards therefrom.

This crank 51 has pivoted adjacent its outer end, a link 52 which extends angularly downward and is also pivoted to a second crank 53 carried by a suitable shaft 54 mounted for rotary movement within another bracket 56 rigid with the associated arm 11.

53 upward and forward, producing counterp clockwise rotation of the rock shaft 54 which carries upon its inner end inside the associated arm 11, another crank 57 which extends angularly downward and rearward from the shaft 54. It may therefore be seen that when the rock shaft 31 is rotated in a clockwise direction, effecting counter-clockwise rotation of the rock shaft 54 as above described, the outer end of the crank 57 moves downwards and, forwards, carrying with it end, a link 68 which, in turn,

a link 58 which extends angularly downward and forward from the crank 57, andwhich is pivoted adjacent the lower end of a floating arm 59 by means of a suitable pin 61. Another link 62 is also pivoted at one end upon the pin 61, and at the other end is pivoted to the outer end of another crank 63 which is rigid with and extends angnlarly forward and downward from the rock shaft 31 inside the associated arm 11. As a result, clockwise rotation of the rock shaft 31 causes the crank 63 to move downwards and aft, and the crank 57 to move downwards and forward, with the result that the pivotally joined ends of the links 58 and 62, move downwards, carrying with them the floating arm 59. It is to be ob served that the crank 57 is shorter than the crank 63, and that the link 58 is shorter than the link 62. These relative proportions of the respective elements, result in an arcuate movement of the pin 61 instead of straight line movement, and furthermore, the arrangement is such that the radius of this arcuate movement, is substantially equal to the radius about which the stops 28 and 29 rotate as the scoop 12 revolves.

Whereas the pin 61 is free to rotate in respect to both the links 58 and 62, this pin 61 carries two cranks 66 and 67 rigid therewith, extending forward and aft respectively, from the pin 61. The after crank 67 is deflected upwards, and has pivoted adjacent its upper is pivoted to the crank 63 between the shaft 31 and the pivotal connection of the link 62. The link 68 and crank 67 are so proportioned and arranged, and the link 68 is pivoted to the crank 63 in such a positionthat as the floating arm 59 moves downward, the crank 66 is maintained substantially horizontal so that a link 71, which is pivoted at one end to the crank 66 and at the other end to the forward end of the detent 48, will maintain the detent 48 also substantially horizontal, it being understood that this detent 48 is pivoted to the floating arm 59 as by a suitable pin 7 2, and that it is the after end of this detent 48 which is adapted to engage the stops 28 or 29. 4

It should also be called to attention that as a result of the proportionate size and arrangement of the links and levers above described, movement of the loading lever 32 from one extreme position to the other, will roduce a relatively great distance of travel of the detent 48. It is this feature that permits the accomplishment of one of the important objects of the invention, inasmuch as when the loading lever 32 is in fully retracted position as shown upon Figs. 1 and 3, under which circumstances the detent is in fully elevated position, the detent 48 is adapted to engage the'stop 28 and hold the scoop 12 with its nose 27 clear of the ground; and when the loading lever 32 is pulled to its extreme forward position resulting in lowering of the detent 48 to its extreme lowermost position, the nose 27 of the scoop 12, is permitted to drop through a range of'several 1nches. In other words, the range of movement of the detent 48 is materially increased over that of any scoop-retaining detent in any other revolving scraper of which I am at present aware, thus permitting employment of my scraper either with or without the supporting wheels 17. One of the problems presented in utilizing a scraper which is supported upon wheels when in idling position, is that a relatively great amount of movement is required for the nose of the scoop when moving from idling position to loading position; and it is to provide a detent operating mechanism by means of which a sufficient degree of motion is imparted to the detent to overcome this inherent disadvantage of a wheeled revolving scraper, that has prompted the development of the hereinabove described mechanism.

Means are also provided for completely withdrawing the detent 48 from that position in which it is adapted to engage either a suitable pin 79, to the lever 77 and extending angularly therefrom and slidable through a bracket 81 rigid with the tongue 7. A spring 82 is under compression between a collar 83 rigid with the rod 78 and the bracket 81, urging the rod 78 rearwards in respect to the scraper, so as to press the lever 77 to the after extreme of its rotary movement about the axis of the shaft 76. A nut 84 or its equivalent upon the forward end of the rod 78, limits this rearward movement.

A crank 86 is made fast to the rock shaft 76 adjacent each end thereof, and is pivotally connected as by a pin 87, to one end of a link 88, the other end of which is pivoted as by a pin 89 to the upper end of the floating arm 59. Inasmuch as the cranks 86 extend upwards and rearwards from the shaft 76, forward movement of the lever 77 will result in upward and forward movement of the cranks 86, whereby the link 88 mounted upon each end of the shaft 7 6, will cause the associated floating arm 59 to be swung forward in pivotal movement about its pivot pin 61. During such movement, the detent 48 will be carried forward, but will be maintained substantially horizontal by means of the link 71. However, inasmuch as the floating arm 59 is inclined only slightly rearwards when the tripping lever 77 is swung to the after extreme of its movement (see Fig. 3) and in view of the fact that in moving forwards from this position, the floating arm 59 moves past the vertical and to a position of relatively great inclination when the tripping lever 77 is drawn forward, it is obvious that there is practically no upward motion of the detent 48 during such movement of the tripping lever 77 and arm 59. Instead, the initial movement of the detent 48 during this tripping action, is first straight forward and then arcuately forward and downward. As a result, the detent 48 is fully capable of retaining the scoop 12 against rotation, regardless of how heavily loaded the scoop may be, and of how great a force the stop 28 or 29 as the case may be, exerts downwards upon the detent 48; and still the detent 48 may be withdrawn in radial movement in respect to the circle described by the stops 28 and 29, with very little effort exerted upon the tripping lever 77 by the operator.

As best shown on Fig. 2, the forward ends 101 of the an ular bracing members 9, extend beyond the f orward end of the tongue 7, to pivotally receive therebetween, an intermediate coupling member 102 in the form of a plate having a plurality of apertures 103 therein, in which any attaching device such as a clevis may be engaged to couple the scraper to any draft means such as a team of horses or a tractor. The plate 102 is pivotally supported by means of a pin 104; and the plate extends forwards and downwards therefrom, the apertures 103 being disposed in spaced relationship along the forward sloping edge of the plate. A pivot pin 106 is provided adjacent the lower after corner of the plate 102, and supports an anchor block 107 to which the forward end of a cable 108 is rigidly secured. This cable passes over a suitable sheave 109 carried by a bracket 111 which is rigid with and extends downwards from the tongue 7; and the after end of the cable 108 is secured to the tongue 7 through the expedient of a suitable bracket 112 and anchoring block 113 pivoted thereto. A coil spring 116 under compression between the bracket 111 and forward anchor block 107, presses the coupling member 102 to its forward extreme of movement as shown upon Figs. 1 and 3, and takes up all slack in the cable 108.

The lever 39 which is adapted to be swung about its supporting pivot pin 41 in clockwise movement when the loadin lever 32 is pulled forward, has its lower on 121 extended below the tongue 7 and carries a roller 122 which engages the cable 108 and which is disposed between the cable 108 and the under side of the tongue 7. The extended portion 121 of the lever 39, is deflected forwards and upwards, so that when the loading lever 32 is in fully retracted position, the roller 122 seats within a recess 123 in the under ed e of the tongue 7, the object being to gain the maximum downward movement of the roller 122 as the upper end of the lever 39 is pulled forward, the purpose being to draw the coupling member 102 rearwards of the frame simultaneously with the forward motion of the loading lever 32.

Obviously, the loading lever 32, the tri ping lever 77, and the pawl 43, may easily e operated from a remote point, thus permitting the operation of a tractor by means of which the scraper is drawn over the surface being worked by the same operator responsible for the satisfactory manipulation of the scraper itself. Suitable cords (not shown) may be extended from the levers 32 and 7 7, and pawl 43, to be accessible from the operators seat of the tractor.

Operation Assuming that the scraper is coupled to suitable draft means such as a tractor, and that the scoop 12 is in idle position as shown upon Figs. 1 and 3, both levers 32 and 77 being in fully aft position, it is readily apparentth at the scraper may readily be moved from one location to another, the supporting wheels 17 holding the scoop 12 elevated above the surface upon which the scraper rests. Each stop 28 is engaged with the associated detent 48 which is in uppermost position, thus holding the nose 27 of the scraper in elevated, and hence, inoperative position. As the scraper approaches the area from which earth is to be removed, the loading lever 32 should be swung forward about its pivot pin 33. This will effect similar forward movement of the upper end of the lever 39, pressing the roller 122 downwards, and decreasing the effective length of the cable 108 and thus drawing the entire scraper forwards closer to the scoop 12 from the surface across which it is being drawn.

When the scoop 12 has become sufliciently l loaded, the pawl 43 should be raised from engagement with its rack 42, permitting the loading lever 32 to swing aft. The first result of this reverse motion of the lever 32, is to permit the increase of the effective length of the cable 108 by the withdrawal therefrom of the roller 122 carried bythe lever 39. This will permit the coupling member 103 to be drawn forward by the draft means, in pivotal movement about its pin 102. It will be understood that the tractive effort exerted by the draft means will impose such tension upon the cable that the side thrust exerted against the roller 122 by the deflected portion thereof, is sufficient to swing the lever 39, carrying the loading lever 32 aft, and thus efiecting raising the detent 48 against the pressure exerted thereagainst by the scoop. As a result, the nose of the scoop is pulled out of the ground by the tractive effort of the draft means, and not by efi'ort exerted by the operator. Furthermore, the raising of the nose of the scoop is facilitated by the increase in the efiective length of the frame which results from the forward swinging of the coupling member 103, causing the forward motion of the nose to cease while being drawn upwards, although the forward motion of the draft means continues unimpeded.

The scoop 12 having thus been filled, may be drawn by the tractor in idle position, to the location where the earth is to be deposited. When such a position is gained, the tripping lever 77 should be drawn forward, whereupon the detents 48 will be swung out of engagement with the stops 28, permitting the scoop 12 to rotate aboutitshorizontal stub shafts 18. If it be desired to spread'the load ofdirt, the tripping lever 77 should be released immediately after disengagementof the detents 48 from the stops 28, whereupon the spring 82 will force the tripping lever 77 rearwards again and so position the detents 48 that they will engage the stops 29 when the scoop 12 attains that position in which the bottom 19 of the scraper is substantially vertical. If the-earth is to be spread in a relativelythin layer, the loading lever 32 should be left in its after position in which the detent 48 is elevated; but if a thicker layer of deposited earth is desired, the loading lever '32 should be drawn forward sufficiently to lower the detents 48, permitting thescoop 12 to increase the angularity of its bottom 19, thus raising its nose 27. If it be desired to deposit the entire contents of the scoop in a mound, instead of releasing the tripping lever 77 immediately upon disengagement of the stops 28 from the detents 48, the lever 77 should be retained in forward position until the stops 29 have passed the detents 48, whereupon the scoop 12 will be inverted to completely empty itself of all its contents. Obviously,'return of the lever 77 to initial position after the stops 29 have passed the detents 48, will result in the retention of the scoop 12 in idle position until the loading lever 32 is again drawn forward.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as herein described, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a scraper construction, a frame, a scoop'pivotally mounted thereon and having a scraping nose facing forward when in operating position, a detent movably mounted in said frame and engageable with said scoop forward of the axis of rotation thereof, oper ating means for optionally raising or lowermg said detent, a draft connection pivoted to said frame, a cable attached at one end to said frame and at the other end to said connection, and a lever coupled to said operating means and engaging. said cable to draw the draft connection rearwards of the frame as the detent is lowered.

2. In a scraper construction, a frame, a

. scoop pivotally mounted thereon and having a scraping nose facing forward when in operating position, a detent movably mounted in said frame and engageable with said scoop forward of the axis of rotation thereof, operating means for optionally raising or lowering said detent, a draft connection pivoted to said frame, a cable attached at one end to said frameand at the other end to said connection, a lever coupled to said operating means and engaging said cable to draw the draft connection rearwards of the frame as the detent is lowered, and spring means interposed between the frame and said draft connection urging said connection forward in respect to the frame.

3. In a scraper construction, a frame, a scoop rotatably mounted thereon, abutments rigid with said scoop and spaced arcuately about the axis of said scoops rotary motion, a floating arm carried by said frame, a detent carried by said arm, said arm being movable to position said detent optionally in or out of the arc uate paths of said abutments, a rock shaft journalled on said frame, means interposed between said arm and said rock shaft for supporting said arm and detent while the rock shaft is held stationary, means for imparting rotary movement in one direction to said rock shaft to move said arm and detent in the paths of said abutments to lower the cutting edge or said scoop to digging position, a draft connection for applying tractive efi'ort to said frame, means interconnecting said draft connection and said rock shaft whereby said tractive efi'ort tends to rotate said rock shaft in the other direction, and releasable iatch means for holding said rock shaft against said opposite rotation.

4. In a scraper construction, a frame, a scoop rotatably mounted thereon, an abutment rigid with said scoop, an arm carried by said frame and extending substantially tangentially with respect to the path of said abutment, said arm being pivotaliy mounted for rotary movement about an axis adjacent that end of the arm toward which the abutment tends to move, a detent pivoted to said arm in position to engage said abutment, means for swinging said arm about said axis to withdraw said detent in an arcuate path which initially is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation 01 said scoop and which subsequently curves in the direction of movement of said abutment, and means maintaining said detent in substantially radial position with respect to said scoop throughout movement of said arm.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES LE 

